What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientSqualane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Ceramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Polyphenols
AntioxidantMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningUbiquinone
AntioxidantAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentRose Extract
Skin ConditioningPogostemon Cablin Leaf Extract
PerfumingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMentha Viridis Extract
MaskingLecithin
EmollientPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningTribehenin
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSorbic Acid
PreservativePotassium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Squalane, Niacinamide, Caffeine, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Glucosamine Hcl, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ng, Phospholipids, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Camellia Sinensis Polyphenols, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Ubiquinone, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Rose Extract, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mentha Viridis Extract, Lecithin, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Tribehenin, Cetyl Palmitate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 60, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Jojoba Esters
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientLeontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
AntioxidantLycium Barbarum Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningIsomalt
HumectantLecithin
EmollientPunica Granatum Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Polyglycerin-3
HumectantCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Squalane, Stearic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Olivate, Jojoba Esters, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetyl Alcohol, C10-18 Triglycerides, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Stearate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cellulose Gum, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Lycium Barbarum Callus Culture Extract, Isomalt, Lecithin, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polyglycerin-3, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredientâs final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that causes fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinThis ingredient (LACCE) is a plant cell derived from the alpine plant, edelweiss. It is a humectant with antioxidant and skin protecting properties.
In-vitro and in-vivo research shows LACCE to exhibit strong antioxidant effects, including protecting skin against UVB induced stress. It also appears to support collagen production, improved skin elasticity, and wrinkle reduction.
Clinical application in humans shows topical use of LACCE can improve periorbital wrinkles (around the eyes), dermal density, and skin elasticity.
Cellular studies also suggest potential anti-inflammatory effects and upregulation of genes associated with barrier formation.
As with many plant extracts, a small number of people may experience sensitivity due to allergies.
Learn more about Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture ExtractSqualane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).
It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.
This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.
Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.
Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.
No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).
Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Though squalane is often called an oil, itâs technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term âoil-freeâ isnât regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1972 study that tested raw ingredients under occlusion on rabbit ears. This system is not standardized or peer-reviewed, and using the raw ingredients is very different from how diluted cosmetic formulations are used on human skin.
A comedogenic rating of 1 means it is "unlikely to clog pores" according to the original rating system.
The overall formula of a product matters more than the individual ingredients on whether or not it will cause clogged pores.
Learn more about SqualaneWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum